altered state of consciousness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Academic, clinical, psychological, informal (when discussing experiences)
Quick answer
What does “altered state of consciousness” mean?
Any condition of awareness which is significantly different from a person's ordinary waking state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any condition of awareness which is significantly different from a person's ordinary waking state.
A temporary mental condition induced by drugs, meditation, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, or intense experiences, characterized by changes in perception, thought, and self-awareness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Primarily academic/clinical; associated with psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse but standard in specific fields. Slightly more common in US pop psychology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “altered state of consciousness” in a Sentence
to induce an altered state of consciousness (in someone)to enter/experience an altered state of consciousnessan altered state of consciousness induced by XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “altered state of consciousness” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rhythmic drumming altered his state of consciousness.
- She sought to alter her consciousness through breathwork.
American English
- The substance can alter your state of consciousness rapidly.
- Meditation practices aim to alter consciousness without drugs.
adjective
British English
- He reported an altered-state experience after the accident.
- The research focuses on altered-state phenomena.
American English
- She specializes in altered-state therapy.
- They documented altered-state perceptions during the ritual.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in creative/innovation contexts: 'The retreat aimed to induce altered states for brainstorming.'
Academic
Common in psychology, neuroscience, anthropology: 'The study measured brainwave patterns during altered states of consciousness.'
Everyday
Informal discussions of meditation, drug experiences, or extreme fatigue: 'After that long run, I was in a real altered state.'
Technical
Precise term in clinical psychology, parapsychology, and consciousness studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “altered state of consciousness”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “altered state of consciousness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “altered state of consciousness”
- Using 'alternate state of consciousness' (which implies switching between two) instead of 'altered' (which means changed/modified). Treating it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'he was in altered state').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Unconscious' typically means a lack of awareness or responsiveness (e.g., sleep, coma). An altered state involves a changed quality of consciousness, not its absence.
They can be, depending on the cause and context. Self-induced states via meditation are generally safe, while those induced by drugs, trauma, or illness can pose psychological or physical risks.
Yes, most sleep researchers classify the dream phase of sleep (REM sleep) as a natural, regularly occurring altered state of consciousness.
No. While central to psychology and neuroscience, it is also used in anthropology, religious studies, art, and even casual conversation to describe significant shifts in subjective experience.
Any condition of awareness which is significantly different from a person's ordinary waking state.
Altered state of consciousness is usually academic, clinical, psychological, informal (when discussing experiences) in register.
Altered state of consciousness: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɔːltəd steɪt əv ˈkɒnʃəsnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɔːltərd steɪt əv ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not all there”
- “on another planet”
- “spaced out”
- “in a trance”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ALTERED' like a computer file that's been changed; consciousness is the file. An altered state is your mind's file running a different program.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSCIOUSNESS IS A LANDSCAPE/TERRITORY (entering a different region of the mind), CONSCIOUSNESS IS A TOOL (a different setting on the tool).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically associated with inducing an altered state of consciousness?